14 White Elephant Party Gag Gifts to Make at Home

A lot of holiday office parties include a White Elephant gift exchange in the festivities. If you are fresh out of White Elephants at your house, here are15 gag gift ideas you can make at home:

1. Economic Survival Kit - Include an old tin cup or an old man's fedora hat, a black felt marking pen, the flap off a cardboard box, and printed directions to the busiest intersection in town.

2. The Political Cliché - Toss a handful of dimes, nickels and pennies into a small gift box and include a tag that says, "Change You Can Believe In."

3. Main Street Bail-Out - Purchase a pretty organza drawstring bag (available at Michael's Crafts). Fill it full of pennies. Include a tag that reads, "Your share of the government bail-out package. Don't spend it all in one place." Sign it, "Your friends in Washington D.C."

4. Geek Squad - Find and old pair of eyeglasses (the thicker the lenses the better). Wrap the nose piece with a couple of Band-Aids. Purchase a plastic pocket protector and fill it with stubby pencils and old ballpoint pens. Add a recent copy of MacWorld or PC Computing magazine.

5. Stock Market Investor Kit - Include a copy of the Wall Street Journal, a small forked stick to represent a diving rod, and print a professional looking business card with your computer that reads, "Dewey, Screwem & Howe - Stock Brokers - 800-555-1212."

6. Joe Sixpack Gift Basket - In a nice wicker basket place a 6-pack of cheap beer, 1 can of Vienna sausages, 1 can of aerosol cheese, a pack of Ritz crackers, and an old knife.

7. Emergency Lunch Kit - In an old coffee mug, place 4 foil packets of ketchup from your favorite fast food joint, and old spoon, and include a printed recipe card that says, "Squirt 4 packets of ketchup into the cup. Add hot water. Stir. Enjoy."

8. Emergency Raincoat - Use a large black trash bag. Cut holes for head and arms. Sew a couple of old buttons on one side or use duct tape cut-outs to embellish..

9. Car Detailing Kit - Purchase a small plastic bucket. Add the following items: a ratty old pair of men's underwear, small bottle of dish soap, old toothbrush, and new green tree car freshener.

10. The Butt Kisser - Give a roll of toilet paper and a small spray breath freshener.

11. Dating Helper - Purchase a small black address book, write a much of funny fake names and phone numbers inside. Give it along with a box of Tic Tacs, a tube of Chapstick, and 1 (only1) foil wrapped condom.

12. Stadium Seat Cushion - Stack two squares of 12x12" bubble wrap. Secure all 4 edges with duct tape. Make a handle with duct tape and secure to one edge for carry strap.

13. Battery Operated MP3 - Tape 2 AA batteries inside a small flat box. Enclose a tag that says: "Battery Operated MP3 Player (MP3 not included).

14. Tinkle the Wonder Dog - Poke holes in a cardboard box. Place inside: rolled up newspaper, old collar/leash, small dish, 1 can of dog food, roll of toilet paper, and a card that says, "Tinkle The Wonder Dog Gift Set" (dog not included)

Additional Tips:

Let your imagination run wild when creating your White Elephant gag gift package. Use these 14 ideas to jump-start the creative process, but add your own personal touch to the gift. The more outrageous, the better.

Don't hesitate to use old items from around your house to create these gifts. Thrift shops, rummage sales, and dollar stores are great, inexpensive places to shop for materials.

Presentation is an important element to the successful White Elephant gag. Make sure your gift is wrapped nicely and tied with a beautiful bow.

Keep in mind that the whole point of the White Elephant gift is that it is inherently useless and something that no one in their right mind would want.

Whatever White Elephant gag gift you choose to make, remember that your goal is to create that one gift everyone at the party will laugh about and talk about for years to come.

Good luck and have fun!